California Wine Advisors

Dark, dense, and unapologetically powerful, the 2022 Estate Cabernet delivers rare finesse. The first impression is all ripe blackberries, dark cherry, and milk chocolate, wrapped in a structure of tight, sculpted tannins that hint at enormous long-term potential. As it opens, savory herbs, iron, and a profound minerality give this wine an unmistakably brawny character....

This is the flashiest vintage of Continuum to date, providing captivating thrills from the alluring bouquet (lilies) to the memorable finish that lasts a full minute. Wow! We were awed by the intense dark fruit, notes of savory spices, and silky texture plus flawless balance which we’ve learned is Tim M’s trademark. The enchanting finish...

Wow! The cashmere-like texture reminds us of the best Harlan and Hundred Acre releases that we’ve sampled. Intensely satisfying hints of inky dark fruit (currants, plums, blackberry) combine with opulent notes of dark chocolate and pipe tobacco. The mind-bending finish features luxuriously creamy new oak and espresso guaranteed to dazzle now (decanting recommended) through 2030....

A Cabernet of opulence and precision, Fayard has delivered a masterpiece from the Martinez vineyard next to Ovid on Pritchard Hill. On the nose, it unfurls with an luxurious bouquet of juicy, ripe blackberry and cassis intertwined with subtle herbs and citrus zest that adds lift and brightness. The fleshy, velvety texture delivers a vibrant...

We’ve judged the last twenty vintages of Insignia, and the new 2022 is a strong contender for the most immediately irresistible! Aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate, mint, sweet tobacco, and violets captivate from the start. The full-bodied palate is framed by silky, polished tannins, unfolding into flashy layers of fig, blueberry, espresso bean, and a...

It doesn’t get any better than 2005 Levy & McClellan Cabernet Sauvignon, which is just entering its ideal drinking window. An utterly vivid, breathtaking wine, the 2005 is built like a thoroughbred with perfect balance and overall sense of harmony that may be savored tonight or anytime over TWENTY years. The opaque purple/onyx color is...

A thrilling, hedonistic Napa powerhouse that absolutely explodes from the glass with crème de cassis, blackberry compote, sweet red cherry, graphite, and scorched earth. In true To Kalon fashion, the fruit possesses an almost surreal level of concentration and intensity, yet what makes this wine so captivating is the way its massive scale is wrapped...

Deep, dark, and powerful, yet wrapped in a remarkably velvety texture that elevates its old-school soul into something irresistibly modern. Layers of ripe red fruits and baking spice immediately grab you, gaining nuance as the wine opens, while a firm, finely structured finish stretches out for minutes. While dense and big on the palate, this...

The 2022 Ma Princesse is one of the most deftly-balanced editions of this bottling I’ve tasted over the last decade plus. Long a favorite of those who enjoy California Chardonnay at its most full-bodied and luscious, its captivating texture and richness here are kept in place this year by a spine of racy lemon and...

This is majestic California Chardonnay flirting with perfection upon release; a high-wire act of power and finesse. It opens with citrus zest and vanilla bean, then builds into a richly textured, mouthwatering palate where juicy acidity meets opulent depth. Layers of lemon, tangerine, and mandarin unfold with precision, while a subtle touch of reduction adds...